In the past decade, medicine has undergone a seismic shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to an era where treatment is tailored to individual genetic profiles. Precision medicine, driven by advances in genomics, big data analytics, and biotechnology, has become a frontier poised to reshape global healthcare.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), genetic diseases account for nearly 20% of all illnesses worldwide, with cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and rare diseases being among those most impacted by genetic variability. Globally, at least 7.6 million children are born annually with severe genetic or congenital malformations, 90% of whom are in middle- and low-income countries. Precise prevalence data remain difficult to collect, particularly in developing nations, due to the vast diversity of conditions and the high number of undiagnosed cases.
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The global precision medicine market was valued at USD 8.25 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 21.32 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6% from 2024 to 2031.
One of the most significant milestones in the field was the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, which mapped all 20,000–25,000 human genes. Discoveries from this project led to breakthroughs such as targeted cancer therapies, including imatinib (Gleevec) for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and the development of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19, tailored based on genetic insights.
The United States and China are at the forefront of precision medicine, with initiatives such as the All of Us Research Programme, which aims to collect genetic data from over one million Americans, and China’s Precision Medicine Initiative, which received a $9 billion investment. These efforts have led to breakthroughs in rare disease treatment, oncology, and pharmacogenomics, demonstrating that genetics can indeed save lives.
Africa’s Place in the Genomic Revolution
Despite its rich genetic diversity, Africa has largely been excluded from global genomic studies. Less than 2% of genetic data used in medical research worldwide comes from African populations, despite the continent holding the oldest and most diverse genetic variations. This exclusion has created a blind spot in global medicine, leading to ineffective treatments for African populations.
However, the tide is shifting. Africa is beginning to harness the power of precision medicine through initiatives such as the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) programme, which has sequenced the genomes of thousands of Africans to study diseases like sickle cell anaemia and tuberculosis. In South Africa, the African Genomic Medicine Training Initiative (AGMTI) is training healthcare professionals in the application of genetic medicine, a crucial step toward integrating precision healthcare into mainstream medical practice.
Africa’s health landscape is dominated by diseases with strong genetic and environmental influences. Sickle cell disease (SCD), which affects approximately 300,000 newborns annually worldwide, is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional treatments have been largely ineffective, but gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 now offer new hope. In December 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Casgevy, a CRISPR-based therapy developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, potentially transforming treatment options for SCD patients in Africa.
Similarly, cancer cases and deaths in Africa are expected to double in the next two decades, reaching 2.1 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths by 2040. An aggressive subtype of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), is particularly prevalent among African women and is less responsive to conventional chemotherapy. Genetic testing and targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors have proven effective in treating TNBC in high-income countries, but access in Africa remains limited. Expanding precision oncology through public-private partnerships and genome sequencing hubs could bridge this gap and save lives.
Overcoming Challenges
While the potential for precision medicine in Africa is immense, several barriers threaten its implementation. The lack of genomic data, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and limited funding pose significant hurdles. The cost of genome sequencing, which was around $2.7 billion in 2003, has dramatically decreased to approximately $300 in 2024, yet remains unaffordable for most African healthcare systems.
Moreover, many African countries have a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:5,000—far below the WHO-recommended 1:1,000 ratio. Without a robust healthcare workforce trained in genetics, integrating precision medicine into standard medical practice remains a distant goal. To address these issues, governments must increase investments in biobanks, data-sharing frameworks, and cross-border collaborations with leading genomic institutions.
The Role of Technology
Artificial intelligence is playing an instrumental role in making precision medicine more accessible. AI-driven genetic analysis can reduce the time required to interpret genomic data, making diagnostics faster and more efficient. Companies such as Deep Genomics and Tempus AI are leveraging machine learning to predict how individual patients will respond to different treatments, a crucial factor in resource-constrained African healthcare settings.
Telemedicine platforms have also emerged as vital tools in democratising access to genetic counselling. In Kenya, the MyDawa platform connects patients with genetic testing services, while in Nigeria, the 54gene initiative has raised over $45 million to develop Africa’s first precision medicine biobank. Such innovations are accelerating the continent’s ability to harness the benefits of genomic science.
Can Genetics Truly Save Lives in Africa?
The dream of a continent where genetic insights drive healthcare decisions is within reach, but it requires a multi-pronged approach. Governments must establish national genomic policies, increase research funding, and build biotechnological infrastructure to support precision medicine. Partnerships with global organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the African Academy of Sciences will be crucial in scaling up genomic initiatives.
Additionally, ethical considerations must be at the forefront. Data sovereignty and informed consent are critical issues in African genomic research. Ensuring that African populations benefit directly from their genetic contributions and that their data is not exploited for foreign commercial interests must be prioritised.
A Genetic Renaissance for Africa
Like a long-lost script waiting to be rediscovered, Africa’s genetic blueprint holds the key to unlocking life-saving medical innovations. If harnessed correctly, precision medicine could turn the tide on genetic disorders, chronic diseases, and even pandemics. The continent stands at the precipice of a medical revolution, one that has the potential to redefine healthcare for generations to come. But the question remains: will Africa seize this moment and rewrite its medical destiny?
With the right investments, policies, and collaborations, the answer could be a resounding yes. Precision medicine is not a futuristic fantasy—it is the future of healthcare, and for Africa, it may well be the key to saving millions of lives.
